Robotech: Crystal Dreams

Robotech: Crystal Dreams was a canceled Robotech video game that was to be developed by GameTek for the Nintendo 64.[1]

Robotech: Crystal Dreams
Preliminary cover art
Developer(s)GameTek
Publisher(s)N/A
Designer(s)Doug Lanford, Lizard Harac
Platform(s)Nintendo 64
ReleaseCanceled
Genre(s)Flight simulator
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Plot

Crystal Dreams follows the adventures of Kyle Bartley, a disgraced Robotech Defense Force veritech mecha pilot turned mercenary who fights to protect the Earth and the SDF-3 from new Zentraedi enemies.

Development

After purchasing the license for Robotech video games from Activision, GameTek submitted a pitch for the game to Nintendo.[2] Nintendo approved the project, and a team of ten was assembled to work on the game.[2] The game was announced on May 1995 as one of the first titles going to be released at the launch of the Nintendo 64 under the working title, Robotech Academy. By mid-1996 the name had changed to Robotech: Crystal Dreams.[2]

Nintendo provided support to GameTek in learning the Nintendo 64 hardware. According to art director Mimi Doggett, "They know we're just getting used to this new hardware, so they've been patiently supportive. They're not pushing us to get the game out - they'd rather we take our time to make sure that it's good."[2]

Originally planned for a December 1996 release, the game was pushed back to the second quarter of 1997.[3] Following further delays, the release was pushed back again, to December 1997.[4] After 2 years of development the producer, GameTek, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997 before the game could be completed. The company still promoted Crystal Dreams, looking for a publisher interested in buying and finishing the incomplete game. However, it was eventually cancelled days after a working demo was shown at the 1998 E³ trade show. Antarctic Press also produced a black and white promotional comic book that was handed out at E³ and is now considered a collectors item. GameTek was subsequently liquidated in late 1998.

Gameplay

Crystal Dreams was primarily a space fighter simulation game with some resource management elements. The main protagonist worked as a mercenary and could obtain different numbers of credits based on the type of missions completed. Between levels the player would return to base and be able to interact with a variety of other characters, buy upgrades and modify his mecha. The game also had a continuing war time line where the player could get reports of what was happening in various locations of space, and could rush to the aid of those that needed his help the most and receive more credits for it.[5] The mecha can be transformed into three different forms: "Fighter mode", "Guardian mode", and "Battloid mode".[2]

See also

References
  1. "Games for the American Ultra 64". GamePro. No. 90. IDG. March 1996. p. 26.
  2. "Shooter's Dream: Robotech for the Nintendo 64". GamePro. No. 94. IDG. July 1996. pp. 28–29.
  3. "News Bits". GamePro. No. 102. IDG. March 1997. p. 24.
  4. "Parade of Popular PC and Arcade Titles Coming to Home Systems this Winter". GamePro. No. 104. IDG. May 1997. p. 24.
  5. Nintendo Power, volume 86, page 98.
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